Hundreds Walk Through The Hardest Hit Areas Of Joplin

Robert Garrison and Associated Press

JOPLIN, Missouri -- Hundreds of people came together in Joplin Tuesday afternoon for the "Walk of Unity."

City government leaders joined residents, volunteers and state and local politicians as they walk along the six mile path the deadly tornado took on May 22, 2011.

The Joplin portion of the walk begins past a Wal-Mart where three people were killed and 200 survived by huddling together in employee break rooms, bathrooms and other designated safe zones.

Joplin Tornado Timeline

The walk will conclude with a moment of silence at Cunningham Park at 5:41 p.m., the moment the tornado struck. The city park, which is across the street from what is left of the St. John's hospital, has been rebuilt.

The walk is one of several events to mark the one year anniversary of the storm that claimed 161 lives, mixing somber remembrances with steely resolutions to rebuild the battered city.